Introduction

Darier’s disease is a rare genodermatosis inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Clinically, it manifests with hyperkeratotic papules in seborrhoeic and intertriginous areas as well as involvement of nail plates and mucous membranes. Patients may present with neuropsychiatric comorbidities.

Objective

To present a case of a patient with severe Darier’s disease that was successfully treated with acitretin.

Case report

A 39-year-old man with a 24 year history of Darier’s disease was admitted to the hospital because of an exacerbation of skin lesions. A year earlier he underwent an episode of severe depression. Because of signficant severity of skin lecions, acitretin was introduced with improvement.

Conclusions

Oral retinoids are the first line treatment against severe exacerbations of Darier’s disease. Because of possible development of neuropsychiatric disorders, patients with Darier’s disease should receive psychological and/or psychiatric consultations.